Paddy Mooney (58) was described as "a joker, a character, a man who had time for everyone" to more than 500 mourners who packed into St Andrew's Church in Dublin's inner city.

Mr Mooney, who was left paralysed on one side of his body following a stroke, was slain in cold blood at his home in Dublin's Pearse House complex on January 10 along with his friend Brendan Molyneaux (46).

It is believed he was targeted by hitmen who burst into the first-floor apartment in the sprawling flats complex.

"This is a very sad day for our inner-city community," parish priest Fr John Gilligan told mourners.

He said that the spate of killings had cheapened life. "It's terrible to believe that life is treated today the way it is and we've come to this state in our society."

Among the chief mourners were Mr Mooney's family, including his son Anthony. He will be buried at Deansgrange cemetery today following 10am Mass.